#future of data ownership

[onlinemarketingcash4ublogspotcom]

Title: Understanding ActivityPub

ActivityPub is an open, decentralized protocol designed to facilitate social networking across diverse platforms. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and published as a recommendation in January 2018, it aims to empower users with more control over their data and online presence. ActivityPub serves as a bridge that connects different platforms into a cohesive ecosystem, often referred to as the Fediverse (short for "federated universe").

[half-assed-genius]

[rjohnson49la]

ActivityPub is an open, decentralized protocol designed to facilitate social networking across diverse platforms. Developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and published as a recommendation in January 2018, it aims to empower users with more control over their data and online presence. ActivityPub serves as a bridge that connects different platforms into a cohesive ecosystem, often referred to as the Fediverse (short for "federated universe").

[ellipsus-writes]

Back when we started Ellipsus (it's been eighty-four years… or two, but it sure feels like forever), we encountered generative AI.

Immediately, we realized LLMs were the antithesis of creativity and community, and the threat they posed to genuine artistic expression and collaboration. (P.S.: we have a lot to say about it.)

Since then, writing tools—from big tech entities like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, to a host of smaller platforms and publishers—have rapidly integrated LLMs, looking to capitalize on the novelty of generative AI. Now, our tools are failing us, corrupted by data-scraping and hostile to users' consent and IP ownership.

The future of creative work requires a nuanced understanding of the challenges ahead, and a shared vision—writers for writers. We know we're stronger together. And in a rapidly changing world, we know that transparency is paramount.

So… some Ellipsus facts:

We will never include generative AI in Ellipsus.

We will never access your work without explicit consent, sell your data, or use your work for exploitative purposes.

We believe in the strength of creative communities and the stories they tell—and we want to foster a space in which writers can connect and tell their stories in freedom and safety—without compromise.

[justadandak]

Social networks have become “the web” for many people who rarely venture outside of their tall and increasingly reinforced walls. As Tom Eastman once put it, the web has rotted into “five giant websites, each filled with screenshots of the other four”.1 Within those enclosures, the character limits, neutered subset of web functionality, and constant push to satisfy the enigmatic desires of an algorithm tuned to keeping eyeballs on the platform encourage sameness, vapid engagement farming, and rage bait while stifling creativity.

We can have a different web

[drcpanda12]

New Post has been published on https://www.knewtoday.net/exploring-web-3-0-the-rise-of-decentralized-social-platforms/

Exploring Web 3.0: The Rise of Decentralized Social Platforms

Welcome to the world of Web 3.0, where the Internet is evolving into a decentralized and user-centric ecosystem. In this new era, traditional social media platforms are being reimagined, giving rise to innovative and decentralized social sites. These platforms are built on emerging technologies like blockchain, aiming to empower users with greater control over their data and online interactions.

In this article, we will delve into the concept of Web 3.0 and explore some of the popular decentralized social sites that are shaping the future of social networking. We will examine platforms like Steemit, Mastodon, Solid, Scuttlebutt, and Handshake, each offering unique features and approaches to foster a more open, transparent, and user-driven online experience.

Join us on this journey as we dive into the world of Web 3.0 social sites, discovering how they are revolutionizing social networking and challenging the status quo. Get ready to embrace a new era of digital interactions, where users have the power to shape their online presence and reclaim ownership of their data.

Understanding Web 3.0: The Evolution of the Internet

Web 3.0 is the next phase of internet development, representing a paradigm shift from the current centralized model to a more decentralized and user-centric approach. It aims to address some of the limitations and concerns of Web 2.0, such as data privacy, control, and the dominance of tech giants.

In Web 3.0, the focus is on empowering users and giving them greater control over their data and online interactions. Decentralization plays a crucial role in this vision, enabled by technologies like blockchain. Web 3.0 seeks to create a more open, transparent, and secure internet ecosystem where individuals have ownership and agency over their digital presence.

Key aspects of Web 3.0 include:

Decentralization: Web 3.0 leverages decentralized technologies, such as blockchain, to distribute data and authority across a network of participants rather than relying on centralized entities.

User Control: Web 3.0 emphasizes user ownership and control over personal data, enabling individuals to decide how their information is shared and used.

Interoperability: Web 3.0 aims to establish interoperability among various platforms, allowing seamless data transfer and interaction between different applications and services.

Openness and Transparency: Web 3.0 promotes transparency by making data and algorithms more accessible, enabling users to understand and verify how platforms operate.

Trust and Security: Through cryptographic protocols and consensus mechanisms, Web 3.0 enhances trust and security, reducing the reliance on third-party intermediaries.

Web 3.0 is still an evolving concept, and its full realization is yet to be achieved. However, it holds the potential to revolutionize the internet by placing users at the center and transforming how we interact, transact, and share information online.

The Promise of Decentralization: Empowering Users

Decentralization is a fundamental principle and promise of Web 3.0, offering numerous advantages and transformative potential. Here are some key promises and benefits associated with decentralization:

Enhanced User Empowerment: Decentralized systems aim to empower individuals by giving them greater control over their data, online identity, and digital assets. Users are no longer at the mercy of centralized entities that dictate terms and conditions.

Data Privacy and Security: Centralized platforms often collect and store vast amounts of user data, raising concerns about privacy and security. Decentralization distributes data across a network, reducing the risk of single points of failure and unauthorized access. Users have more control over their data, deciding what to share and with whom.

Reduced Intermediaries: Decentralized systems aim to eliminate or minimize the need for intermediaries, such as social media companies or financial institutions. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, users can directly interact and transact with each other, reducing costs, delays, and dependency on third parties.

Censorship Resistance: Centralized platforms have the authority to moderate and censor content, which can raise concerns about freedom of expression. Decentralized platforms strive to provide a more censorship-resistant environment, where content moderation decisions are made collectively or by consensus, reducing the potential for biased or arbitrary censorship.

Community Governance: Decentralized systems often involve community governance models, where decision-making power is distributed among participants. This allows users to have a say in the development, rules, and direction of the platform, fostering a more democratic and inclusive environment.

Interoperability and Seamless Experiences: Decentralization enables interoperability between different platforms and applications. Users can seamlessly interact, transfer data, and utilize services across various decentralized ecosystems, creating a more connected and integrated digital experience.

Innovation and Openness: Decentralized systems encourage innovation by providing open-source protocols and standards. Developers can build on existing infrastructure, contributing to the growth and evolution of the ecosystem as a whole.

While decentralization offers promising benefits, it also presents challenges such as scalability, governance complexities, and user experience design. However, the pursuit of decentralization continues to shape the future of the Internet, providing an alternative model that prioritizes individual empowerment, privacy, and open collaboration.

Blockchain Technology: Enabling Web 3.0 Social Platforms

Blockchain technology is a foundational component of Web 3.0 and plays a significant role in enabling decentralization, security, and trust in various applications. It is a distributed ledger system that records and verifies transactions across a network of computers, known as nodes. Here are some key aspects of blockchain technology:

Decentralization: Blockchain operates in a decentralized manner, where multiple nodes participate in validating and maintaining the integrity of the ledger. This decentralized consensus mechanism removes the need for a central authority, providing transparency and resilience.

Immutable and Transparent Ledger: Transactions recorded on a blockchain are permanent and tamper-proof. Once a transaction is added to the blockchain, it becomes extremely difficult to alter or manipulate the data, ensuring the integrity of the system. This transparency allows users to verify transactions and builds trust within the network.

Cryptographic Security: Blockchain uses advanced cryptographic techniques to secure transactions and data. Each transaction is cryptographically linked to the previous transaction, forming a chain of blocks. This makes it computationally impractical to modify past transactions without the consensus of the network.

Smart Contracts: Smart contracts are self-executing agreements coded on the blockchain. They automatically execute predefined actions when specific conditions are met. Smart contracts enable trustless and decentralized execution of agreements, eliminating the need for intermediaries and providing automation and transparency.

Tokenization: Blockchain technology facilitates the creation and management of digital tokens. These tokens can represent various assets, such as cryptocurrencies, digital collectibles, or even real-world assets like real estate or shares. Tokenization enables fractional ownership, increased liquidity, and new business models.

Public and Private Blockchains: Public blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum are open to anyone and rely on a distributed network of nodes for consensus. Private blockchains, on the other hand, are permissions and restrict access to a specific group of participants. They are often used by enterprises for internal purposes, maintaining privacy and control over data.

Scalability and Interoperability: Blockchain technology has faced challenges with scalability, particularly in public blockchains. However, various solutions such as layer-2 protocols and sharding are being developed to address these issues. Interoperability protocols are also being explored to enable seamless communication and interaction between different blockchains.

Blockchain technology has far-reaching implications beyond cryptocurrencies, extending to areas such as supply chain management, healthcare, finance, voting systems, and more. Its decentralized nature, security features, and ability to enable trust and transparency have the potential to revolutionize various industries and reshape the way we exchange value and interact online

Steemit: Rewarding Content Creation and Curation

Steemit is a blockchain-based social media platform that was launched in 2016. It operates on the Steem blockchain and provides users with the opportunity to create and curate content while earning cryptocurrency rewards. Here are some key features and aspects of Steemit:

Content Creation and Curation: Steemit allows users to create and publish content in the form of articles, blog posts, videos, and more. Users can also curate content by upvoting and commenting on posts they find interesting or valuable.

Steem Cryptocurrency and Rewards: Steemit has its native cryptocurrency called Steem. Users can earn Steem tokens by creating and curating content. The rewards are distributed based on the popularity and quality of the content, as determined by the community through upvotes and engagement.

Decentralized and Transparent: Steemit operates on a decentralized blockchain, ensuring transparency and immutability of content and transactions. Blockchain technology enables a trustless environment, where users have control over their data and interactions.

Reputation System: Steemit has a reputation system that measures the credibility and influence of users based on their activity and engagement on the platform. This reputation score helps in determining the weightage of their votes and the visibility of their content.

Community Engagement: Steemit encourages community engagement and collaboration. Users can follow each other, join communities based on shared interests, and participate in discussions. The platform provides an opportunity for users to connect and build relationships with like-minded individuals.

Monetization Opportunities: Steemit provides users with the opportunity to monetize their content. Successful and popular creators can earn significant rewards in the form of Steem tokens, which can be exchanged for other cryptocurrencies or fiat currencies.

Open Source and Development Community: Steemit is an open-source project, allowing developers to contribute to its development and create additional features and applications around the Steem blockchain. This fosters innovation and the growth of the ecosystem.

It’s important to note that while Steemit gained popularity as one of the early blockchain-based social media platforms, the landscape of Web 3.0 and decentralized social platforms is constantly evolving. There may be newer platforms or updates to existing ones that provide similar or enhanced features compared to Steemit.

Mastodon: Building Federated Communities

Mastodon is a decentralized, open-source social networking platform that operates on the principles of federation. It was launched in 2016 as an alternative to centralized social media platforms, offering users greater control over their data and fostering community engagement. Here are some key aspects of Mastodon:

Federation: Mastodon operates on a federated model, where multiple servers called “instances” are interconnected. Each instance is independently operated and can have its own rules and community guidelines. However, users from different instances can interact and follow each other, creating a decentralized network.

Decentralization and User Control: Mastodon emphasizes decentralization and user control over data. Instead of relying on a central server, user data is distributed across multiple instances, reducing the dependency on a single entity. Users can choose the instance that aligns with their preferences or even set up their own instance.

Timeline and Posts: Similar to other social media platforms, Mastodon allows users to post updates, photos, videos, and links. These posts appear in the users’ timelines and can be viewed and interacted with by their followers.

Privacy and Moderation: Mastodon gives users control over their privacy settings. They can choose to make their posts public, limited to their followers, or even private. Instances can also establish their own moderation policies to ensure a safe and respectful environment.

Community Engagement: Mastodon fosters community engagement by allowing users to follow each other, interact through comments and mentions, and participate in discussions. Users can discover and join various communities based on shared interests by following relevant accounts and hashtags.

Open Source and Interoperability: Mastodon is an open-source project, meaning its source code is freely available for inspection and modification. This encourages transparency, innovation, and the development of compatible applications and extensions.

Mobile and Desktop Apps: Mastodon has a range of mobile and desktop applications that allow users to access the platform from different devices. These apps provide a user-friendly interface for browsing timelines, posting updates, and engaging with others.

Mastodon has gained popularity as a decentralized and privacy-focused alternative to traditional social media platforms. Its federated nature allows for diverse communities and instances to exist while still providing interconnectivity and communication between users.

Solid: Taking Control of Your Personal Data

Solid is an open-source project and web decentralization initiative led by World Wide Web inventor Sir Tim Berners-Lee. It aims to reshape the way the web works by giving users control over their personal data and enabling them to choose how and where their data is stored and accessed. Here are some key aspects of Solid:

Personal Data Ownership: Solid puts individuals in control of their personal data. Instead of storing data on centralized servers owned by companies, Solid allows users to store their data in personal online data stores, called Pods. Users have full ownership and control over their Pods, deciding who can access their data and under what conditions.

Pod-Based Architecture: Solid follows a pod-based architecture, where data is stored in Pods hosted on servers of the user’s choice. Each Pod represents a user’s personal data store, which can be hosted on their own server or by a trusted service provider. This distributed approach ensures data privacy, security, and user empowerment.

Linked Data Principles: Solid utilizes Linked Data principles to enable interoperability and data sharing between different applications and Pods. Data stored in Pods is structured using semantic web technologies, making it machine-readable and allowing for seamless integration and aggregation of data across platforms.

Reusable Data and Applications: With Solid, users can grant permissions to different applications to access and utilize their data stored in Pods. This data interoperability allows for the creation of reusable applications that can leverage user data with explicit consent, promoting data portability and reducing data silos.

Privacy and Security: Solid emphasizes privacy and security by design. Users have granular control over their data, determining who can access specific pieces of information within their Pods. Solid also supports encryption and authentication mechanisms to ensure secure data storage and access.

Developer-Friendly: Solid provides developers with a set of open standards, protocols, and application programming interfaces (APIs) to build Solid-compliant applications. This encourages the development of a decentralized ecosystem of applications that respect user data rights and can seamlessly interact with Pods.

The vision behind Solid is to enable a more user-centric, privacy-preserving, and interoperable web, where individuals can reclaim control over their data and choose how they interact with online services. By decentralizing data storage and facilitating data ownership, Solid aims to address concerns related to data privacy, surveillance, and user empowerment in the digital age.

Scuttlebutt: Privacy-Focused Offline Social Networking

Scuttlebutt is a decentralized peer-to-peer social networking protocol and platform that focuses on privacy, offline access, and community building. It allows users to connect and communicate with others directly, without relying on a centralized server. Here are some key aspects of Scuttlebutt:

Decentralization: Scuttlebutt operates in a decentralized manner, with no central server or authority. Users store their data locally on their devices and share it with others through a peer-to-peer network. This architecture promotes resilience, privacy, and independence from centralized platforms.

Offline Access: One of the unique features of Scuttlebutt is its ability to work offline. Users can compose messages, update their profiles, and interact with others even when they don’t have an internet connection. When they come back online, their data is synchronized with other users’ devices.

Privacy and Security: Scuttlebutt emphasizes privacy by default. Users control their own data and can choose what information to share with others. Communication on Scuttlebutt is encrypted, ensuring that messages and data remain private and secure.

Community and Relationships: Scuttlebutt fosters the formation of communities and relationships through a concept called “pubs.” Users connect to pubs, which act as hubs for sharing and discovering content from other users within the network. Pubs enable users to find and follow people with similar interests.

Synchronization and Replication: Scuttlebutt uses a process called “gossiping” to synchronize data across the network. Devices share updates with each other, replicating and propagating changes. This enables users to have a consistent view of the network, even with intermittent or limited connectivity.

Extensibility and Modularity: Scuttlebutt is designed to be extensible, allowing developers to build custom applications and modules on top of the protocol. This flexibility enables the creation of diverse and specialized social applications that cater to different user needs.

Open Source: Scuttlebutt is an open-source project, which means its code is available for anyone to inspect, modify, and contribute to. This promotes transparency, innovation, and community-driven development.

Scuttlebutt provides an alternative approach to social networking, focusing on user privacy, community building, and offline accessibility. Its decentralized architecture and emphasis on user control aim to address concerns associated with centralized social media platforms and promote a more resilient and user-centric internet experience.

Handshake: Decentralized Domain Name System

Handshake is a decentralized, blockchain-based protocol that aims to create a more secure, censorship-resistant, and decentralized internet naming system. It introduces a new peer-to-peer root DNS (Domain Name System) that replaces the traditional hierarchical DNS system. Here are some key aspects of Handshake:

Decentralized Naming System: Handshake aims to decentralize the process of domain name registration and ownership. It allows users to register top-level domains (TLDs) directly on the Handshake blockchain, removing the need for centralized domain registrars. This enables greater ownership and control of domain names.

Blockchain Technology: Handshake operates on its own blockchain, which is a distributed and immutable ledger that records domain name ownership and transactions. The blockchain ensures transparency, security, and censorship resistance, as changes to domain records are recorded and verified by network participants.

Name Auctions: Handshake introduces a unique name auction mechanism to allocate domain names. Users can bid on and acquire domain names through an open and transparent auction process. This helps prevent domain squatting and promotes fair and competitive ownership of domain names.

Community Governance: Handshake’s governance model involves the community of Handshake token (HNS) holders. They can participate in decision-making processes regarding protocol upgrades, modifications, and policy changes. This allows for a more inclusive and decentralized approach to managing the naming system.

Handshake Tokens (HNS): Handshake has its native cryptocurrency called Handshake Tokens (HNS). These tokens are used for bidding on domain names, participating in auctions, and incentivizing network participants who validate and secure the blockchain.

Censorship Resistance: Handshake aims to provide a more censorship-resistant internet naming system. Since the ownership and control of domain names are decentralized, it becomes difficult for any centralized authority to censor or manipulate domain registrations.

Interoperability: Handshake is designed to be compatible with existing DNS infrastructure, ensuring interoperability with the traditional Internet naming system. This allows Handshake domain names to be accessed by users on regular web browsers without any additional software or plugins.

Handshake seeks to challenge the centralized nature of traditional domain name systems by providing a decentralized alternative. By leveraging blockchain technology and community governance, it aims to create a more inclusive and secure naming system for the internet, empowering individuals and reducing reliance on centralized authorities.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Web 3.0 Social Landscape

Challenges and opportunities in the Web 3.0 social landscape are shaped by the shift towards decentralization, user ownership, and the emergence of new technologies. Here are some key challenges and opportunities:

Challenges:

User Adoption: One of the main challenges for Web 3.0 social platforms is attracting a critical mass of users. Shifting users from established centralized platforms to decentralized alternatives requires education, user-friendly interfaces, and compelling features that provide clear advantages over traditional platforms.

Scalability: Achieving scalability in decentralized networks is a significant challenge. As the user base and activity increase, maintaining fast and efficient network performance becomes crucial. Web 3.0 social platforms need to address scalability concerns to handle growing user demands.

User Experience: Providing a seamless and intuitive user experience is vital for Web 3.0 social platforms. Designing user interfaces that are as intuitive and familiar as centralized platforms can help onboard users more effectively. Improving user experience across different devices and applications within the decentralized ecosystem is essential for widespread adoption.

Interoperability: Ensuring interoperability between different Web 3.0 social platforms is a challenge. Users should be able to interact and share content seamlessly across different decentralized networks. Developing open standards and protocols that enable interoperability can foster a more connected and inclusive Web 3.0 social landscape.

Regulatory Environment: Web 3.0 social platforms may face regulatory challenges as governments and regulatory bodies adapt to decentralized technologies. Compliance with data protection, privacy, and financial regulations can be complex, and platforms need to navigate these legal frameworks to ensure long-term sustainability.

Opportunities:

Data Privacy and Ownership: Web 3.0 social platforms offer opportunities to address privacy concerns by enabling users to have greater control over their personal data. By embracing decentralized architectures and technologies like blockchain, users can retain ownership of their data and choose how it is shared and utilized.

Censorship Resistance: Web 3.0 social platforms can provide an opportunity for users to express themselves freely without the risk of censorship or content removal by centralized authorities. Decentralized networks and protocols offer a more resilient and censorship-resistant environment for open communication.

Monetization and Tokenization: Web 3.0 social platforms introduce new possibilities for users to monetize their content and participate in the value-creation process. Through tokenization and decentralized finance (DeFi) mechanisms, users can earn rewards, receive micropayments, and engage in peer-to-peer transactions, creating new economic opportunities.

Community Governance: Web 3.0 social platforms can empower users by involving them in the decision-making process through community governance models. Users can have a say in platform rules, feature development, and policy changes, fostering a sense of ownership and participation.

Innovation and Collaboration: Web 3.0 social platforms provide a fertile ground for innovation and collaboration. Developers can build on open protocols and standards, creating new applications, features, and integrations. Interactions between different decentralized platforms can lead to novel use cases, fostering creativity and experimentation.

Trust and Transparency: Web 3.0 social platforms can address trust and transparency concerns by leveraging decentralized technologies. Immutable ledgers, smart contracts, and transparent governance models enhance transparency and accountability, building trust between users and the platform.

The Web 3.0 social landscape presents both challenges and opportunities as it evolves towards decentralization and user ownership. Overcoming technical and adoption challenges while leveraging the benefits of privacy, censorship resistance, and user empowerment can pave the way for a more inclusive and user-centric social web.

[reachartwork]

re: "outlawing AI"

i am reposting this because people couldn't behave themselves on the original one. this is a benevolent dictatorship and if you can't behave yourselves here i'll shut off reblogs again. thank you.

the thing i think a lot of people have trouble understanding is that "ai" as we know it isn't a circuitboard or a computer part or an invention - it's a discovery, like calculus or chemistry. the genie *can't* be re-corked because it'd be like trying to "cork" the concept of, say, trigonometry. you can't "un-invent" it.

even if you managed to somehow completely outlaw the performance of the kinds of linear algebra required for ML, and outlawed the data collection necessary, and sure, managed to get style copyrighted, you can't un-discover the underlying mathematical facts. people will just do it in mexico instead. it'd be like trying to outlaw guns by trying to get people to forget that you can ignite a mixture of powders in a small metal barrel to propel things very fast. or trying to outlaw fire by threatening to take away everyone's sticks.

the battleground is already here. technofascists and bad actors without your ethical constraints are drawing the lines and flooding the zone with propaganda & slop, and you’re wasting time insisting to your enemies that it’s unfair you’re being asked to fight with guns when you’d rather use sticks.

as a wise sock puppet once said; "this isn't about you. so either get with it, or get out of the fucking way"

-----

Attempts to prohibit AI "training" misunderstand what is being prohibited. To ban the development of AI models is, in effect, to ban the performance of linear algebra on large datasets. It is to outlaw a way of knowing. This is not regulation - it is epistemological reactionary-ism. reactionism? whatever

Even if prohibition were successful in one nation-state:

Corporations would relocate to jurisdictions with looser controls - China, UAE, Japan, Singapore, etc.

APIs would remain accessible, just more expensive and less accountable. What, are you gonna start blocking VPNs from connecting to any country with AI allowed? Good luck.

Research would continue outside the oversight of the very publics most concerned about ethical constraints.

This isn’t speculation. This is exactly what happened with stem cells in the early 2000s. When the U.S. government restricted federal funding, stem cell research didn’t vanish, it just moved and then kept happening until people stopped caring.

The fantasy that a domestic ban could meaningfully halt or reverse the development of a globally distributed method is a fantasy of epistemic sovereignty - the idea that knowledge can be territorially contained and that the moral preferences of one polity can shape the world through sheer force of will.

But the only way such containment could succeed would be through:

Total international consensus (YEAH RIGHT), and

Total enforcement across all borders, black markets, and academic institutions, at the barrel of a gun - otherwise, what is backing up your enforcement? Promises and friendly handshakes?

This is not internationalism. It is imperialist utopianism. And like most utopian projects built on coercion, it will fail - at the cost of handing control to precisely the actors most willing to exploit it.

Liberal moralism often derides socialist or communist futures as "unrealistic.", as you can see in the absurd, hyperbolically, pants-shittingly mad reaction to Alex Avila's video. Yet the belief that machine learning can be outlawed globally - a method of performing mathematics that is already published, archived, and disseminated across open academic networks the globe over - is far more implausible. literally how do you plan on doing that? enforcing it?

The choice is not between AI and no AI. The choice is between AI in the service of capital, extraction, and domination, or AI developed under conditions of public ownership, democratic control, and epistemic openness. You get to pick.

The genie and the bottle are not even in the same planet. The bottle's gone, Will.

[delaneydiaries]

10th House Careers

—Aries in the 10th House

Career Fields: Entrepreneur, athlete, firefighter, military, startup founder, stunt performer, motivational speaker

Vibe: Bold leader. Known for trailblazing, risk-taking, and charging ahead before the rest even have a plan

—Taurus in the 10th House

Career Fields: Finance, real estate, interior design, art dealing, luxury sales, farming, architecture

Vibe: Steady, success-built brick by brick. They create lasting legacies, often in beauty or security.

—Gemini in the 10th House

Career Fields: Writing, journalism, teaching, marketing, social media, podcasting, public relations

Vibe: Talks the talk and walks it too. A chameleon in the professional world.

—Cancer in the 10th House

Career Fields: Social work, therapy, childcare, nursing, hospitality, real estate, psychology, education

Vibe: The caretaker turned boss. Soft leadership with emotional intelligence.

—Leo in the 10th House

Career Fields: Entertainment, performing arts, politics, fashion, leadership, motivational speaking

Vibe: Center stage CEO. Craves recognition and knows how to shine in the public eye.

—Virgo in the 10th House

Career Fields: Healthcare, editing, data analysis, nutrition, teaching, research, administrative work

Vibe: The quiet expert. Precision and service-oriented excellence.

—Libra in the 10th House

Career Fields: Law, design, fashion, diplomacy, HR, beauty industry, art, public relations

Vibe: Polished professionalism. Brings harmony and aesthetics to high places.

—Scorpio in the 10th House

Career Fields: Psychology, investigation, forensics, finance, medicine, occult work, crisis intervention

Vibe: Power behind the curtain. Strategic, intense, and unafraid of the underworld.

—Sagittarius in the 10th House

Career Fields: Travel industry, higher education, publishing, philosophy, law, coaching, politics

Vibe: Globe-trotting guru. Wants to inspire through ideas, experience, and vision.

—Capricorn in the 10th House

Career Fields: Corporate leadership, finance, law, engineering, government, business ownership

Vibe: Born for the boardroom. Ambition + discipline = unstoppable climb.

—Aquarius in the 10th House

Career Fields: Tech, innovation, activism, science, astrology, nonprofit, entertainment, aviation

Vibe: Future-focused rebel. Breaks the mold to build a better one.

—Pisces in the 10th House

Career Fields: Art, film, music, healing arts, spiritual work, therapy, photography, ocean-related work

Vibe: The mystic in a suit. Creative, compassionate, and often guided by a dream or cause.

[wilhelmina-afton]

Courtesy SOTM Spoiler Warning

still chewing on how badly William fucked Edwin over - like, regardless of whether you think he stole everything or not.

Though I hold the belief that he/henry didn't steal the fredbear/bonnie/endo/springlocks and they worked on them together, Fredbear's Diner apparently pre-existing judging from all the pizza boxes scattered around, William (and Fazbear Ent) still absolutely, undeniably screwed Edwin and the MCM over, and probably stole a ton of other stuff via daylight robbery (his contract with Fazbear Ent that allowed them ownership of all his creations mentioned at the start of the game).

William directly coerced employees to take updated blueprints and the like from Edwin in return for higher positions at varying Fazbear Ent locations, and possibly unfinished comissioned characters for both the company (questionably legally via unfair contract) and others (most definitely illegally if Fazbear ent didn't buy the rights), while other Fazbear Ent higher ups - still including William no doubt - were essentially dangling a carrot on a string in front of Edwin (repeatedly rejecting prototype designs for future fazbear projects, leading Ed into a cycle of taking loans and making more designs, and falling into deeper debt trying to produce something satisfactory), a promise that's not ever going to be fufilled.

Like, Edwin had to have been in such debt that he himself put up the land his home and factory were built on in order to keep the MCM running - or the lands may have been repossessed and sold without his input because his finances were just that bad.

Which is how Fazbear Ent (note: Not William himself, though have no doubt he was the deciding man on the issue) probably purchased the land in the first place, and in turn - made Edwin more desperate.

He left an audio log behind, saying as much: if he finished his projects, got the payout for them, everyone would come back and he'd fix things -> his fallen friendships, his employees, the lost land, the MCM reputation, etc.

In William's messages to Edwin himself (which we don't know if he ever read, also? As the mailboxes are emptied when Arnold uses the Data Diver on them, it kind of implies he never read said mail?), he mentions how the man is behind and likely overtaxing himself without any other employees (something Will himself encouraged, and even monopolized, even if he wasn't the start of), and - William mentions that Edwin can keep the Murray Mansion, although Fazbear Ent had since purchased the land and the MCM (I think? Or at the very right were legally allowed to evict him/demolish the buildings had they wished it), and even offers Murray the position of lead engineer, and it's -

So. Fucked up??? Because William is no doubt a large factor in the lack of employees, and probably the reason that Fazbear Ent probably hired most of them (again, Edwin helped Henry and William design and manufacture the animatronics - his secrets are also Fazbear secrets, so that's protecting Fazbear secrets in the same breath as ruining MCM), which in turn drives Edwin further and further into his spiral of overtaxing his mind, his body, his funds.

Yet he's also putting on this polite mask, and offering Edwin a position that, also demeaned from where he was stood, was a foothold for building himself back up - still has a home, still has a high ranking job for a company rapidly expanding and growing in power, and depending on how you read his character, it can also genuinely be him thinking he's in the right and trying to help, doing what's best for Edwin, while also capitalizing on a situation to further his own reputation, wealth, etc - or he just doesn't care at all, and either way it's just so so so toxic a relationship).

William is purposely worsening Edwin's own semi-self-induced decline into ruin for his own benefit - and I'm caught between him doing it as an uncaring asshole (i.e. William cares for no one but himself, not his family or henry or anything) or him doing it as an obsessive/posessive asshole who sees this as a prime way to get Edwin under his thumb (similarly to Henry, in ways).

Like, 'oh, what a terrible situation you've found yourself in - but I can help you fix it, dear', type deal. His friends, his family, they are his things and he knows best for them - they just have to do as he says, rely on him, etc, etc, etc (would not be above creating situations that drive to his side, such as murdering Charlie and comforting a grieving Henry-)

(Almost fucked up as the thought that M2 probably let Edwin die from his injuries from the office explosion, and - as M2 is an artifically created child, mimicking David - was probably not initially aware that the man would permanently die/could not be repaired later, and having been taught violence would perpetuate murder against all future workers who entered the MCM-)

[tomorrowusa]

Microblogging platform Mastodon is taking steps to make sure it never falls into the hands of some MAGA billionaire like Zuck or Musk.

Founder Eugen Rochko is transferring ownership to a nonprofit entity based in Europe. It is already located in the EU where it is free of any political or legal pressure from a Trump administration. Becoming nonprofit is a poison pill to deter any broligarchs who bend the knee to MAGA.

Mastodon announced Monday that it's shifting its structure over the next six months to become wholly owned by a European nonprofit organization—"affirming the intent that Mastodon should not be owned or controlled by a single individual." This takes control of the social network away from its previous "ultimate decision-maker," Eugen Rochko. As founder, Rochko initially took the reins to ensure the decentralized platform would never be for sale and "would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual." His grand vision remains to leave Mastodon users in control of the social network, making their own decisions about what content is allowed or what appears in their timelines. The news comes after leaders of other social networks, like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, have sparked backlash over sudden changes to popular apps like Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter). For years, Musk has drawn criticism for changing Twitter's hate speech policies through his X rebranding. And more recently, Zuckerberg this month defended Meta's decision to relax hate speech policies (permitting women to be called "property" and gay people to be called "mentally ill") by calling bans on such speech "out of touch with mainstream discourse." Mastodon is hoping to provide an alternative social network for users who are potentially frustrated with their lack of control over their timelines and content on other networks.

Mastadon is part of the Fediverse – which takes a little getting used to. And while not small, it doesn't yet have the enormous volume of broligarch-owned social media; though Elon Musk's transformation of Twitter/X into a playground for Nazis and Trumpsters has sparked growth at Mastodon.

Mastodon appears to be betting that even more users will seek alternative social networks in the future as popular apps enact unpopular policies. The blog discussed progress on a "privacy-respecting search tool" that could be used to explore the entire Fediverse, a collection of independent social media networks that Mastodon connects to. That could make it possible to discover more content without depending on a "For You" algorithm mining user data. And perhaps in a nod to Meta's recent changes, Mastodon also vowed to "invest deeply in trust and safety" and ensure "everyone, especially marginalized communities," feels "safe" on the platform.

Dominic Preston at The Verge writes...

“When founder Eugen Rochko started working on Mastodon, his focus was on creating the code and conditions for the kind of social media he envisioned,” Mastodon says. “The legal setup was a means to an end, a quick fix to allow him to continue operations. From the start, he declared that Mastodon would not be for sale and would be free of the control of a single wealthy individual, and he could ensure that because he was the person in control, the only ultimate decision-maker.” In the short term, nothing should change for users. Mastodon will continue to host the mastodon.social and mastodon.online servers and support its federated network. Routine code development and bug fixes are ongoing, though the announcement adds that “changes are definitely in the pipeline.” “Our core mission remains the same: to create the tools and digital spaces where people can build authentic, constructive online communities free from ads, data exploitation, manipulative algorithms or corporate monopolies,” Mastodon says.

What's not to like about a platform for Twitter refugees which doesn't Zuck?

[mariacallous]

In the middle of the nineteenth century, filth of every kind accumulated on the streets of New York. The land was boggy and lacked proper drainage. Epidemics ravaged many of the city’s impoverished neighborhoods. In the summer of 1864, an inspection undertaken by a committee of concerned physicians yielded a seventeen-volume report that catalogued the conditions. One inspector noted that, in his assigned district, refuse filled gutters, blocked sewage culverts, and sent forth “perennial emanations which generate pestiferous disease.” Another observed that certain streets better resembled “dung-hills rather than the thoroughfares in a civilized city.” In response to the report, state lawmakers introduced legislation that led to the establishment, in 1866, of the Metropolitan Board of Health, one of the country’s first municipal public-health authorities. Upon its formation, the board immediately confronted a potential cholera outbreak. It established quarantine measures and administered new health ordinances that helped to contain the spread of the disease. Support for the new agency soared, and other cities began organizing similar authorities. The modern-day public-health movement in the United States was born.

An important revelation from the “great sanitary awakening” of the nineteenth century, as it became known, was that social and environmental factors could significantly affect people’s health. During the second half of the twentieth century, policymakers began turning their attention to issues such as product and workplace safety as a way to save lives. In the mid-nineteen-fifties, nearly forty thousand people were dying every year from motor-vehicle accidents. Attention was primarily focussed on the responsibility of drivers, but physicians and engineers pointed out that most of these deaths were, in fact, preventable through changes in automobile design. In 1965, Ralph Nader, a young lawyer who later became an activist and a perpetual Presidential candidate, published “Unsafe at Any Speed,” a book examining the ways in which automakers had failed to prioritize safety. It became an unlikely nonfiction best-seller, alongside Truman Capote’s “In Cold Blood.” Nader’s reporting prompted congressional hearings and the formation of what is now known as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. William Haddon, a pioneering public-health scientist, became the agency’s first administrator and oversaw the first safety requirements for new cars, including energy-absorbing steering columns, shoulder harnesses, and side-door beams. The ratio of motor-vehicle deaths to miles travelled by drivers in the United States plummeted.

The principal aim of public health is prevention. It takes its scientific cues primarily from epidemiology, which studies the prevalence of diseases and their determinants to shape control strategies. In the mid-nineteen-sixties, public-health practitioners began to incorporate these methods into a nascent discipline known as injury science, taking on problems such as children falling from windows, residential fires, childhood drug poisonings, and, beginning in earnest in the nineteen-nineties, gun violence. The premise is tantalizingly straightforward: utilize scientific data to identify risk factors and the most vulnerable populations, and adopt multipronged solutions to stop problems before they arise. When it comes to gun deaths, for instance, public-health interventions might include pediatricians inquiring about safe storage at home, and the government establishing waiting periods for the purchase of firearms and raising the legal age for gun ownership. The challenge comes in marshalling consensus for the kind of community-wide solutions that public health demands. This is where public-health initiatives have often floundered, including with guns.

In recent years, public-health researchers have begun to consider whether a new societal threat deserves their scrutiny: political violence. One of the researchers leading this effort is Garen Wintemute, the director of the Violence Prevention Research Program at the University of California at Davis, who has spent more than four decades studying firearm violence. Wintemute is a gaunt, bespectacled emergency physician. (He still works four or five weekend shifts a month at U.C. Davis’s hospital.) He is seventy-two years old but speaks with an almost childlike inquisitiveness when discussing research into violent death. Wintemute told me that, during the coronavirus pandemic, he and his researchers tracked a nationwide surge in firearms purchases, particularly among first-time gun owners. Even as the COVID-19 crisis began to subside in 2021, they noticed that people were still purchasing guns at unusually high rates. Baffled by the ongoing demand, he wondered, What the hell is this? He spent a week immersing himself in the available data on political polarization and its connection to violence. When he emerged, he concluded that the subject of political violence urgently needed study, because people seemed to be “arming up” and the result “could reshape the future of the country.” He eventually directed a third of his thirty-person team to spend at least some of their time on a new project: researching the possibility that people might resort to violence to achieve their political ends.

As with any public-health problem, the first task was to collect reliable data. Wintemute’s team conducted their first broad-based survey in 2022 and found that nearly a third of the population believed that violence was usually or always justified to advance at least one of seventeen political objectives—a list that included curbing voter fraud, stopping illegal immigration, and returning Donald Trump to the Presidency. Nearly one in five agreed strongly or very strongly with the statement that “having a strong leader for America is more important than having a democracy.” The willingness to justify violence was greater among people who identified as “strong Republicans” than those who identified as “strong Democrats.” Another study by Wintemute’s team found that nearly half of a cohort that they labelled “MAGA Republicans”—self-identified Republicans who voted for Trump in 2020 and believed the election was stolen—strongly or very strongly agreed with the statement “Our American way of life is disappearing so fast that we may have to use force to save it.” Wintemute also examined the threat posed by right-wing extremists who endorse racist beliefs and the use of violence to effect social change, and who express approval of certain militia groups such as the Proud Boys and the Oath Keepers. Within this small subset—Wintemute estimates it to be less than two per cent of the population—he found strong association with support for political violence and the willingness to engage in such violence.

Yet certain findings offered Wintemute reason for optimism. A survey published last month found that only 6.5 per cent of the population believes strongly or very strongly that a civil war is coming, and just 3.6 per cent that the “United States needs a civil war to set things right.” Both figures are roughly similar to the previous year’s findings, an unexpected result, given that 2024 is a Presidential-election year and political tensions have ratcheted upward. Wintemute also found that, of the 3.7 per cent of respondents who said they considered it very or extremely likely they’d participate as a combatant in a large-scale conflict, more than forty-four per cent said they would be “not likely” to join if they were dissuaded by family members; more than thirty per cent said they could be deterred if a respected religious leader urged them not to participate; and just under a quarter said they could be dissuaded by a respected news or social-media source. The implication, according to Wintemute, is “a large percentage are saying, ‘You can talk me out of it.’ ” That points the way to potential public-health interventions, which might include consistent messaging from the media, religious leaders, and others about rejecting political violence.

The threat of violence has hovered like a nimbus cloud over this election season. The spectre of the January 6th insurrection at the Capitol remains omnipresent, but the two most visible instances of violence during the 2024 campaign have been directed at Trump. On July 13th, during a Trump campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a man on a warehouse roof fired eight times at the former President. A bullet grazed Trump’s ear; one rallygoer, a former volunteer fire chief, was killed; two others were injured. Then, on September 15th, as the former President was playing a round of golf at his club in West Palm Beach, a Secret Service agent patrolling the grounds spotted the muzzle of a rifle poking out of the shrubbery along a chain-link fence. The agent opened fire and the gunman fled. After the authorities arrested him, they discovered that he had been staking out the course for hours. Democrats have also been targeted. In Tempe, Arizona, state Party officials recently closed a campaign field office after it was shot at three times in three weeks.

According to tracking by the Bridging Divides Initiative, at Princeton University, threats and harassment of local public officials surged in July. Despite this, violence by extremist groups, as reported by a different organization, the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data, has actually ebbed this year, likely because law enforcement has arrested dozens of members of these groups for their participation in the Capitol riot. It makes for a perplexing picture. Is political violence an imminent threat to Americans or not? Political scientists, applying their theoretical frameworks, have long made clear the reasons for concern, including the way the country’s deepest cleavages, over race, ethnicity, religion, geography, and culture, are now embedded in people’s politics; the weakening of democracy’s guardrails during the Trump era; and the spread of misinformation.

The promise of public health is that it rests on scientific data and offers pragmatic solutions. Treating political violence like a contagion could help safeguard the future of American democracy. And yet the same fractures that potentially drive political violence can imperil the collaboration needed to address public-health crises. They can also lead to the most dangerous symptom of all: a sense of helplessness. But, if we simply wait for the disease to strike, it may already be too late. 

[50calmadeuce]

Ch. 27: The Hotel Restaurant

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Top Gun: Maverick world, trademarked by Paramount Pictures Corporation. I do not claim ownership of the characters and the world that I am borrowing.

The story and situation I am creating are a work of my imagination and I do not ascribe them to official story canon. This work is for entertainment only and is not a part of the storyline.

I am not profiting financially from the creation and publication of this story, but I do hope it gives you happy thoughts.

These stories are my own, so please do not take them and use them for yourself without my permission. If you see them somewhere else, please let me know. :)

The next morning, as you were getting dressed, Jake watched you from the end of the bed. "I'm serious, Y/N. If anything happens, you call me or Chuck," he said, his tone firm and eyes filled with concern.

You sighed, feeling frustrated as your clothes started to feel snugger. Opting for comfort, you paired the leggings with a long plaid shirt instead of the other one you had in mind. "Yes, Jake," you responded, acknowledging his concern while trying to focus on getting ready for the day ahead.

Jake stood up and walked over to you, his arms gently wrapping around you from behind as he rested his chin on your shoulder and he hands gently placed on your stomach. You felt a thump where Jake placed his hands.

"What was that?" he asked.

"I think it was the baby. I've been reading that I should be feeling kicks soon."

Jake's eyes widened in amazement, and his hands remained in place, eagerly waiting for another sign of life. Sure enough, you felt another thump, this time a bit stronger. He looked up at you with a mix of excitement and awe, sharing in the profound moment of realization that the baby was indeed growing and active.

"He sure is strong," Jake commented.

You turned your head to look at him. "Have you seen his parents?"

Jake's eyes twinkled with amusement and pride as he met your gaze. "I guess he's got some good genes," he said, his tone filled with warmth.

You chuckled, feeling the bond between the three of you strengthen with each passing moment. "He's going to be a handful, isn't he?" you said, imagining the future with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.

Jake smiled, his hand still resting gently on your belly. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, and the two of you shared a gentle kiss.

Jake smiled, his hand still resting gently on your belly. "I wouldn't have it any other way," he replied, and the two of you shared a gentle kiss.

Jake sighed, his concern evident. "You be careful today," he said softly, his eyes searching yours for reassurance.

You nodded, giving him a reassuring smile. "I will, I promise," you said, placing your hand over his. "I'll call you if anything comes up."

Jake gave you one last squeeze before stepping back. "Alright, I'll be waiting. And remember, call me or Chuck if you need anything."

With a final kiss, you gathered your things and headed out, feeling his protective gaze on you still after you closed the door.

As you parked the rental truck into the parking spot of the hotel Dorian was staying at, you felt a mix of determination and apprehension as you made your way to the restaurant alone. When you arrived, Dorian was already there, looking a bit more composed than before.

"Morning, Dorian," you greeted him as you sat down.

"Morning, Y/N," he replied, his tone more relaxed. "Ready to get started?"

"Absolutely," you said, pulling out your notes and laptop.

He pointed at a tray on the table. "I had them bring you some decaf coffee. I figured with the baby, that was okay."

"Thanks, Dorian," you replied, appreciating the thoughtful gesture despite the underlying tension from yesterday. You poured yourself a cup of the decaf coffee, savoring its warmth as you prepared to dive into the work ahead.

"We need to verify each data point and ensure our methodology is sound," you reiterated, opening your laptop and pulling up the necessary files.

Dorian nodded, adjusting his glasses and focusing on his own screen. "I've compiled the data here," he said, turning his laptop towards you. "We can start with the initial samples and work our way through."

You stopped, confused, as you reviewed the data. Everything was filled in correctly and made sense. You looked up at Dorian, your brows furrowed. "This isn't the information you gave me yesterday or what you sent Dr. Colson. This is all complete and it makes sense."

Dorian looked taken aback. "What do you mean? This is the same data I provided."

You shook your head, feeling a surge of frustration. "No, it's not. The inconsistencies we saw before aren't here. Something's changed."

Dorian sighed and threw his hands up. "You caught me."

Confusion washed over your face. "What are you talking about?"

He looked frustrated but resigned. "I did it to get you here to Wyoming and to get your husband off my back."

Your confusion turned to anger. "You manipulated data to get me here? Do you realize how unprofessional and unethical that is?"

All of a sudden, your vision started to become blurry and your head began to spin. You looked up at Dorian, alarmed. "What did you do to me?" You slowly started to lean forward and your head collapsed on the table.

Dorian grinned as he stood up. "Someone help me. My wife is pregnant and she just passed out," he yelled.

A hotel worker ran over, concern etched on their face. "Do you need me to call 911?"

"No," Dorian replied smoothly. "She's been having this problem since the pregnancy started. I just need to get her to my vehicle and get her to the hospital to make sure she's okay. It's been a few weeks since this last happened. If you could just grab our laptops and follow me out to my vehicle…"

The worker nodded, quickly gathering the laptops and following Dorian as he carried you towards the exit. Your vision continued to blur, and panic surged through you as you struggled to stay conscious, but failed.

Jake and Chuck walked towards Chuck's rental truck. Jake pulled out his phone and texted you about the four horses they had purchased from the auction and then asked if you wanted to meet for lunch. He watched as nothing happened to indicate that you were texting back. Concern furrowed his brows as he looked at Chuck. "Can you do me a favor?"

"Sure," Chuck replied.

"Can you text Y/N?" Jake asked, trying to mask his growing anxiety.

Chuck nodded and quickly typed out a message, sending it to you. Moments passed, and there was no response. Chuck looked at Jake, his own concern mirroring Jake's. "No reply," Chuck said.

Jake's gut twisted with worry. "Something's not right."

"Sometimes it takes the Doc a bit to text back, Lieutenant."

"Even when she's working on the computer?"

Chuck paused. "Not really. When she's at home, she usually responds promptly unless she's in an online class, but she always gives me a heads-up on her availability."

Jake looked at Chuck. "We need to get to Dorian's hotel. Something's not right."

Chuck nodded and they ran to the rental truck.

Chuck followed Jake into the hotel where Dorian was staying.

Jake approached the front desk.

"Can I help you, sir?" the receptionist asked.

"Yes, is Doctor Dorian Stryker still here? He was in the restaurant with this woman." Jake showed the receptionist a picture on his phone.

"He was, but his wife, the lady in your photo, passed out and he took her to the hospital," the receptionist said.

"His wife? That's my wife!" Jake exclaimed, his concern and anger mounting.

The receptionist shook his head. "No, according to the Doctor, she was his wife."

Jake fixed the receptionist with a serious look. "Did Doctor Stryker mention he had someone else staying with him?"

The receptionist typed on the computer. "He… oh. Doctor Stryker checked out."

"When did he check out?"

"Three hours ago," the receptionist replied.

Jake grabbed his phone and called 911.

Tags: @buckysteveloki-me @bellyliveslife @tgmreader @callsign-barbell @86laura11 @dizzybee03 @kmc1989 @guacam011y @nerdgirljen @hookslove1592 @dempy @djs8891

[not-terezi-pyrope]

The push for legal prohibitions against AI training on public data via copyright law feels like it's going to have one of two outcomes, and I don't like either of them.

The law enforces a legal distinction between mechanically indistinguishable actions performed by a computer system and by the human brain, enshrining a double standard where what is doing a thing matters more than what the thing is.

Subjective art attributes like "style" and "influence", currently seen as so nebulous that fair use need not even be applied to them, become acceptable points of contention under copyright law, such that human artists can get sued for perceived infractions (e.g. you saw this artwork and "stole" the style of it in your work that looks similar).

Both of these concentrate power to corporations who already hold large corpuses of licensed artwork. It makes me so uncomfortable. Are we heading for a scenario where only corporations can meaningfully monetize "authorized" art, where they can prove that they have ownership of either the training data for an AI model or any nebulous artistic influences that could otherwise be targeted for suppression?

It's not like the latter case is even enforceable but it could be used to intimidate. Honestly, I think art style copyright would be so obviously absurd that the "codified double standard between human and machine actions" option is more likely to be what becomes law, but even that is... very bad, it ensures that AI systems can only be deployed by those with the most money and influence, in service of that money and influence.

I honestly thought that fair use and similar legal concepts were strong enough to withstand the push for this sort of regulation, but this has become such a hot button issue that I'm not sure. We are maybe sleepwalking into some very foreseeably unpleasant consequences here due to artist anxiety which, while valid in especially an economic sense, hasn't actually been thought through, is often not really validated by the reality of the situation or checked against the consequences of being asked for.

Artists want their work posted publicly by untouchable by what they see as some sort of infecting monster, perverting what they made with their own two hands, and that emotion is so strong that it feels like it's going to push us into an objectively worse regulatory future for AI and/or art than anything we have now.

😬

[the-64th-gamer]

I feel like the last year has been a great push for me to slowly detach myself from giant companies and ensure what I do is in my control and ownership

Finally switched over to linux permanently

switched to firefox

enabled adblocker, sponsor blockers, and tracker removers

disabled autoplay and the recommendations sidebar on YouTube (highly highly encourage, though I still keep the homepage open so I can choose when to browse new suggested content rather than it pestering me)

downloaded all my tumblr posts and now host them parallel on my website (stuck here until we find some decentralized way of doing social media right)

cleared out 99% of my online storage to now be on multiple hard-drive backups

downloaded locally all my music

removed myself from basically every data tracking social media platform except this and YouTube

And now currently I'm trying to consolidate all my feeds into just an RSS reader.

It takes a long time and a lot of planning, but its very rewarding to take control over what you want to see, how you see it, how its formatted, ect. I find these are my steps to an easy transition off a certain service:

Download all your data and back it up. Now your account can be deleted at any time with no remorse.

Find browser extensions that enhance and modify the experience to what you might need. Use that to tangibly guide your preferences. Go ahead and remove the app on your phone if its there.

Research every alternative service and try them out. Begin moving certain activity exclusively to the alternative. Take time getting used to it and see if its better to try more alternatives.

Completely jump ship, delete the account, move all feeds or settings over.

Its an ongoing process but there's still probably a few more years of this to go through. Future plans are:

Completely remove all prior emails and self host a new one

Get off Discord entirely except for running the wiki server. It sucks that Discord is so prevalent. Probably move to various forums. Maybe look into some sort of forum management software such as how RSS feeds tame articles and videos into one place.

Setup adblockers directly into my router so ads won't even appear on phones.

Setup my phone to just straight up also run linux. There's a few mobile-designed linux platforms to look into until I decide.

[darkskinwomen]

With Gabrielle Union, The Guardian, and others leaving X In the wake of these exits, more users are engaging in debates about the role of AI in society, politics, and the future of online platforms. Are you still using X (formally known as Twitter)?

In a significant shift for the social media landscape, actress Gabrielle Union, the renowned British newspaper The Guardian and others have announced their departure from X (formerly Twitter), citing ethical and creative concerns with the platform’s recent changes. This move has sparked intense discussion about the direction X is heading and the implications for its users.

Gabrielle Union’s Exit

Union declared the “end of an era” in a heartfelt message, sharing her decision to leave the platform due to its new terms of service and a perceived loss of integrity in its environment. She emphasized her commitment to spaces that value inclusivity and authenticity, directing her followers to connect with her on other platforms like Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. Her announcement resonated deeply with many of her fans, raising questions about X’s ability to retain users who prioritize ethical engagement.

The Guardian’s Stand

The Guardian also left X, criticizing the platform’s declining standards in content moderation and user safety. The newspaper stated that it no longer finds X to be a safe and trustworthy place for meaningful journalism and audience interaction. This decision aligns with concerns about the platform’s new terms, which give X permission to use user-generated content for AI training, potentially infringing on creative and personal rights.

Concerns About AI and Content Ownership

X’s new terms of service, which took effect on November 15, allow the company to use user data—including photos and creative content—for training AI models. This change has sparked backlash among artists, creators, and privacy advocates. Many users worry that their work and personal information might be exploited, with little recourse given X’s legal stipulations favoring Texas courts. These policies have fueled broader debates about the ethics of AI and the rights of users in digital spaces.

[rei-ismyname]

X of Swords - Saturnyne's Tarot Read

The inciting incident for X of Swords was Amenth/Arakko conquering the Otherworld province of Dryador, killing everything that lived. Saturnyne used their boastful ownership of Dryador to have them agree they were her vassals - consent being a key element of the Fae's operations.

When they announced their intent to keep conquering until they reached Earth and Krakoa, she rules lawyered them into a contest of Champions. Being Otherworld, she did a tarot reading to preordain the future and lock them into her rules. Here's the cards...

Judgment, spelt the British way, as Britain is where Otherworld touches Earth. It portrays Apocalypse and his Grandchild through War, Summoner, standing on the cusp of the External Gate. It also references Krakoa and the resurrection protocols - alluding to the enemies it will bring them.

The Four of Wands. It portrays Apocalypse (and Genesis') four children and original Horsemen. Death, War, Pestilence and Famine. Four is also the most important number in mutant magic, representing the four points of the X.

The Hanged Man. It portrays Siryn, Archangel, Polaris, Rictor, Rockslide, Summoner, Beast, Apocalypse and Havok. All on the Otherworld side of the External Gate. A LOT was suspended for and by this event, but the card is not just for those pictured. That applies to all players, even Saturnyne.

The Eight of Cups. It portrays a symbolic picture of Genesis/Annihilation, foreshadowing the tension between the two and the fluidity of alliances/desires/values. The description applies to both of them equally, which is rather elegant IMO.

The Ten of Swords. It refers to the contest, the two groups of ten swordbearers, and metatextually to the event itself. It portrays Cable with The Light of Galador, Apocalypse with Scarab, Wolverine with Muramasa, Magik with the Soulsword, and Betsy with the Starlight Sword.

I believe the obscured forms in the background are the other Krakoan swordbearers - Cypher with Warlock, Storm with Skybreaker, Brian Braddock with The Sword of Might, and Gorgon with Grasscutter & Godkiller. Though Krakoa had only nine swordbearers, with Gorgon's two blades made the total ten. It could be Bei, The Blood Moon, who switched sides upon marrying Cypher. Isca, the Unbeaten switched sides as well though she didn't have a choice in the matter. Neither seem to match the silhouettes, so perhaps it's just lampshading how stacked the deck seems against them.

Tarot, one of Emma Frost's old students, drew the same cards as she explains in this data page.

She knows more about tarot than I do (not a difficult thing) and she adds some context for us. Something I think about often is the confirmation that Apocalypse is into both astrology and tarot. A funny concept, but he also pulls off some wild magic. 616 is inherently more fantastic than our universe and operates on story logic. I think I'd prefer it to what we have, even with all the downsides, but that's just a daydream. Shout-out to Chinese numerology there too BTW.